CUMBERLAND, Tenn. – The #15 Cumberland University Phoenix hosted the #25 Lady Tigers in their initial conference match-up Tuesday afternoon. It was an offensive showcase wire-to-wire, but a last minute Phoenix goal earned them the win, 3-2.
The Lady Tigers wasted no time getting their offense moving.
Angeline Kieh kicked a ball over the Phoenix's crossbar in the first minute. Matching that energy and countering, Cumberland immediately responded with their own shot attempt just a minute later but theirs sank into the back of the net. Then, both teams got opportunities at the goal again but neither converted: the Phoenix's shot went wide left and Kieh's header floated too high.
The MSC showdown was run-and-gun both ways. Within the first 25 minutes there were eight shots taken between the two teams. A
Jenna Croteau header in the 30
th minute connected well but was saved by the Cumberland keeper. That didn't deter the Lady Tigers however as Kieh scored from an assist by
Jayda Brown and
Olja Ivanovic in the 31
st minute. The Phoenix came out strong once play began again shooting three times in under a minute. The first shot was blocked by a Campbellsville defender, the second was saved by
Doeschka Birnage, and the third soared high. The Lady Tigers got several more shots in that didn't translate, but with seven seconds left Kieh found
Agatha Nimene for her first goal of the season.
At the half, there had been 19 shots taken (12 by Campbellsville and 7 by Cumberland). Of those 12, five had been on goal. The Lady Tigers held the Phoenix to no corners and to just two shots-on-goal.
The second half looked to be a repeat of the rampant action of the first 45. The opening 15 minutes saw six attempts at the goal between the two squads and a save each for both teams' goalies. The next several minutes were dominated by the Phoenix's play as they racked up five shots and, eventually, found paydirt past the hands of Birnage for the equalizer on the last attempt.
The Campbellsville offense was unrelenting in its response following the tied score with four shots in rapid succession but none getting through. To echo what proceeded, it was then Cumberland's opportunity to take a handful of kicks at the goal to no avail. With around ten minutes to go, Nimene took a promising shot that was saved by the Phoenix's keeper. Although Campbellsville would try four more shots in, they simply couldn't connect. With only a minute remaining, Cumberland went down the pitch and sent a ball through to take the lead and the game, 3-2.
The match ended with 23 and 24 shots for Campbellsville and Cumberland respectively. The contest was a valiant offensive effort for both squads.
The Lady Tigers will next be found continuing their Tennessee trek taking on the #7 Firehawks of the University of Tennessee Southern. That match takes place on Saturday, September 24
th at 2:30pm ET.
